August 8th, 2014

Duchess Megan reports that Viscount Mikolaj de Bracy was the victor of the June 21, 2014 Crown Tournament in the Kingdom of the West. His Excellency was inspired in His endeavor by Countess Arianwem verch Morgan.

Amandine Mérat and Emily Taylor of the British Museum recently completed the task of auditing, documenting and re-housing 1,800 textiles of the Roman, Byzantine and early Islamic eras. In an article on the museum's website, the two discuss the process of handling the spectacular artifacts in the collection. (photos)

August 7th

Professor Robert Bartlett of the University of St. Andrews believes that there should be a better ending to the reknowned Bayeux Tapestry than the death of King Harold and the defeat of his army. Now a community project from the British island of Alderney offers an alternative: the coronation of William the Conqueror. (photos)

Archaeological excavations at Człuchów castle in Poland have unearthed a 14th century lead bulla of Pope Gregory XI, a seal used to authenticate documents. The bulla is believed to have originated during the Teutonic Order's crusade against pagan Lithuania.

On the Chicago Now blog, B and P's Mama writes of her experience of attending an SCA event with her sister and two kids. An avowed snob about nerd activities, she found that her kids had a magical day and the SCA might not be exactly what she expected.

August 6th

Animator Chris Marshall has brought the past to life in a film which recreates Wales' Caerphilly Castle as it would have looked in the early 14th Century. The film was commissioned by Cadw who oversees the country's historic monuments.

August 5th

Manus MacDhai, Direttore Tecnico for i Firenzi, reports that the Commedia del' Arte company recently performed Arlecchino in Love at the Return to Crecy in the Barony of Sacred Stone (Kingdom of Atlantia.) The performance was recorded and is available to view on YouTube.

The National Centre for Stage Costumes in Moulins, France is playing host to an elaborate display of Shakespearean theatrical costumes entitled Shakespeare, l'étoffe du monde. The silk, satin and gemstone-studded costumes reflect designs from over a century of productions.

August 4th

New research by archaeologists from UCL, Cambridge and UCLan shows that there was a sudden switch in the fish trade in London from local supplies to imported during the early 13th century. The paper, Fish for the city: meta-analysis of archaeological cod remains and the growth of London's northern trade, appears in the June 2014 issue of Antiquities Journal.

August 3rd

Khevron reports that Gregor Hawke was the winner of the July 19, 2014 Coronet Tournament in the Principality of Oertha, Kingdom of the West. His Highness was inspired in His endeavor by Isabella Hawke.

In 2005, archaeologists unearthed the remains of a person of importance near Auldhame in East Lothian, Scotland. Now experts believe that the burial might be that of the 10th Century Irish Viking King Olaf Guthfrithsson, who led raids in the area and reigned as King of Dublin and Northumbria.

Experts and volunteers from Oxford Archaeology have discovered what they believe is a "lost" Roman harbor along with a Roman fort at Maryport, on the west coast of Cumbria in England. The archaeological project hopes to "build up a picture of what ordinary life was like" in this part of Roman Britain.

August 1st

The website People of Color in European Art History showcases "works of art from European history that feature People of Color." The resource includes images of works of art from the pre-1000s to the 17th century.

In a recent blog posting for Code Switch, a website examing race, ethnicity and culture, NPR editor and producer Camila Domonoske ponders the word "fair," from its Anglo-Saxon roots as "beautiful" to its modern usage meaning "light-skinned."

July 29th

Among over 1000 new manuscripts placed online by the British Museum is The Guthlac Roll, a history of St. Guthlac told in graphic novel style "using a series of images in roundels with labels." Mark Strauss of i09 offers his views on the manuscript.

At July Coronation in the Barony of Three Mountains, Their Royal Majesties of An Tir, King Styrkarr Jarlskald and Queen Dagrun Stjarna placed Lady Elizabeth Blackdane on vigil for the Order of the Laurel. She will be admitted to the order at 12th Night in the Barony of Adiantum.

July 28th

Once known as Kraków Academy, Jagiellonian University is the oldest university in Poland and one of the oldest in Europe. Established in 1364 by King Casimir III, the university has educated such greats as astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus and poet Jan Kochanowski. PAP, Science and Scholarship in Poland, has a feature on the anniversary.

July 27th

A backstage misstep led to an SCA career for Bronx, NY native Sirhan al Cyani (Dwayne Herron), who tripped over a fellow high school student's duffel bag during play practice revealing the other student's helmet.“He was in the SCA and was headed to practice in Central Park. I went with him to check it out, and I’ve been doing it ever since.” (photos)

A number of 16th century documents mention the village of Philiphaugh, with its "tower, fortalice, manors, gardens, orchards and mills," on the border between Scotland and England, but the settlement has long ago disappeared. Now new excavations may reveal where the town once stood. (photos)

“All the geographical, underwater topography and archaeological evidence strongly suggests that this wreck is Columbus’ famous flagship, the Santa Maria,” said underwater archaeologist Barry Clifford about the discovery of what may be the Santa Maria, Christopher Columbus' flagship off the coast of Haiti.